South Africa has called for the cessation of violence, a return to rule of law and the release of detained civilian leaders in Myanmar where there have been clashes between pro-democracy protesters and security forces for the past year.
Myanmar plunged into crisis following the ouster of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi a year ago, with security forces killing more than 1,500 civilians in crackdowns on anti-coup protests.
Fighting has also erupted in Myanmar’s countryside and border areas, between the military and pro-democracy groups who have taken up arms as well as ethnic armed groups.
South Africa’s Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation said it “has noted with concern the slower than desired, pace towards the restoration of normalcy in Myanmar.”
“A year later, the status quo remains that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other political leaders in Myanmar are still in detention since 1 February 2021 and violent clashes continue unabated,” ministry spokesperson Clayson Monyela said on Thursday.
He said South Africa supported the efforts of the UN and the implementation of the Association for Southeast Asian Nations’ Five-Point Consensus for Myanmar aimed at ending the violence and alleviating the humanitarian crisis.
“South Africa calls for the release of all political leaders, the cessation of violence and a return to the rule of law.”
The UN estimates that over 400,000 people have been internally displaced since December 2021, in addition to the 340,000 people already displaced before the coup.
JN/APA